Pumas primed for season 2014

MDFL - Moyston/Willaura has pulled off a coup in the
Mininera and District Football League, signing two-time reigning league leading
goal kicker Aidan Bell.

Bell will join another key recruit, Lachie Hamilton, in the
Pumas' forward line for the coming season in what is shaping as a potent
attack.

Between them Bell and Hamilton have top the Mininera senior
goal kicking list in the last four seasons - Hamilton in 2010 and 2011 with
hauls of 65 and 84 respectively and Bell in 2012 and 2013 with 108 and 89
majors.

Moyston/Willaura coach Trent Fiscalini said he doesn't
believe the pair will have any trouble functioning together inside the
forward-50.

"That is going to be the question. I guess we will just
have to see how we get through the practice matches," he said.

"They are both smart footballers so I don't think it
should be much of a problem. Having Belly come on board just adds another
rotation and string to the bow down there.

"It now means we get someone like Miffy (Aaron McKinnis
who kicked 55 goals in 2013) who can push up into the midfield, because he has
gotten himself really fit endurance wise.

"I said to a few of the boys that I think we had one of
the best backlines last year and now I would hate to be a backman walking down
to our forward line this year."

Fiscalini will have plenty of options when selecting the
team for Pumas' round one grand final re-match against Wickliffe/Lake Bolac on
April 12.

Joining Bell and Hamilton in the forward line is likely to
be McKinnis, John Vanderwaal, Daniel Guinane, Matt Peel and Cal Stevens,
however Fiscalini said there are still plenty of others that can hold down one
of the six positions.

"You've also got Luke Thomas and others rotating off
the ball down there," he said.

"It's going to be pretty full on and there will be
plenty of options."

With Hamilton's brother Jacob also signing with the club
early in the pre-season and Bell now jumping on board Moyston/Willaura's
campaign to go one step further in 2014 is growing.

Also joining the Pumas will be Mininera convert Brady
Curran.

"Past rolls at SM&W Rovers I think he has done a
lot of run with and tagging roles, things like that," Fiscalini said.

"I will try and get him into a position early in the
year and get him settled. That will be the main goal, whether it is on a wing
or down back, I think he is quite versatile and can play anywhere, which will
be handy."

Jeremy Leslie had also signed with the club and has been showing
great commitment towards training, while former Pumas' player Clayton Mackley
had will also return after moving back to town from Darwin.

Fiscalini said with a full and healthy list he could
potentially have six or more senior players in the reserves team.

"With everyone on board it is going to be really tough
selection wise," he said.

"It is good to have those problems, but injuries are
always a problem so to have the depth is a critical."

While playing numbers have been bolstered by several key
recruits, off the field Fiscalini has also locked in an assistant coach.

Dennis Bell has come on board and will help run the
interchange bench on match day, while he will also assist Fiscalini with team
selection, along with reserves' coaches Steve Cronin and Graham Dempsey.

"I was struggling to find anyone to be an assistant and
Dennis approached and said he was keen to help out," Fiscalini said.

"He has got the commitment for Thursday training and
Saturdays on the bench. He's got past coaching experience, he is a past player
at Moyston, he is the perfect man for the job.

"Dennis will be in charge of running the bench on game
days and pointing out things that I might miss.

"We could have a couple more, not with official rolls,
but just over the fence that might also pick out things that Dennis and I might
miss. Just putting another couple of pairs of eyes in there will be
handy."

Moyston/Willaura will play a practice match against Skipton
Football Club at Willaura Recreation Reserve this Saturday.